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Unions are the answer to Cameron’s “sick joke”

Strong trade unions, not empty attempts to curry favour, is the way to give Britain a pay rise, according to Unite.

David Cameron yesterday made a plea for business to give Britain a pay rise – a move described by PC general secretary Mark Serwotka as a “sick joke”.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “David Cameron fools nobody with this empty attempt to curry favour with working people, the very group he has hit with his mindless austerity hammer.

“The only way to remedy the appalling draining of wealth, which has accelerated under his government, away from the workers who create it is to support strong trade union representation in our workplaces.

“Pay levels have been battered by his punishment of the economy and will take years to recover.

“But where unions are present in strength, workers win. Trade union members earn on average, 10 per cent more than non-members.

Trade union members earn on average, 10 per cent more than non-members.

“That is precisely why a Tory government would seek to crush trade unions – and why it will not succeed. The trade union movement is the best and lasting hope workers have in reversing the tide of continuous, deepening inequality on which Cameron and co have built their so-called long term economic plan.

“The prime minster spends too much time hawking his party to the super-elite and cosying up to industrial-scale tax avoiders to have a clue what life is like for struggling workers. His latest posturing is nothing more than pre-election hot air but he should be warned.

“Don’t take working people for fools, prime minister. They know exactly whose side you are really on.”

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “Our report two years ago aimed to generate a serious debate about the effects of low pay on the UK economy.

“The fact the prime minister has finally caught up with this three months before the election could be seen as flattery, but is more like a sick joke.”